Roy and Lucy Valitchka cover the gamut of environmental groups in their volunteer work, and they want their money to continue to contribute to that work long after they’re gone. They’ve arranged for a percentage of their estate to go to the Valitchka Family Fund within the Community Foundation to support environmental education.

Roy said he grew up in a “school of the woods” philosophy. He and Lucy have carried that forward by giving countless people the experience of gardening, maple syrup making and apple cider pressing. Roy served as board president for Mosquito Hill Nature Center and has been active with the Weis Earth Science Museum and the Barlow Planetarium. Lucy has been a leader with Wild Ones Native Landscapers, Gardens of the Fox Cities, garden clubs and the Outagamie County Master Gardeners. Both have been deeply involved with Scouting.

They said they don’t have a lot of money as a family, but they are well known for their volunteer involvements. That’s why they have made their gift plan known by becoming members of the Himebaugh Legacy Circle.

All four of the Valitchkas’ children have their own environmental credentials, but Roy and Lucy have chosen to have the Community Foundation administer their fund after their deaths. They don’t want that duty to cause differences among their children over how they would want the money spent.

“Values change over time and we want to have an enduring set of values,” Roy said.

They’ve seen that the Community Foundation does detailed analysis in making sure grants go to the right causes, Roy said. “It works so effectively for the community. It’s there and it’s working all of the time.”